Page 39 of Serving my Dragon
“Killing them doesn’t give us answers,” Juan retorted. “Fear not. They won’t enjoy their stay in a cell.”
“Hmph,” I grumbled, only slightly mollified. “Let me make it clear, right now, as my servants, you are not allowed to leave me.”
A firm statement that led to Kayleigh protesting, “But Polly, Peru isn’t my home, and I can’t keep imposing on Matias and his family.”
“Your home is where I am,” I declared. “And that goes for you as well, Matias.”
“Wait, what? You can’t just decide that.” Matias craned in his seat. “I have a business to run, not to mention I can’t live forever out in the wilds.”
“A dragon’s retinue serves for life, but rest assured, once I begin acquiring treasures for my hoard, you will be richly compensated for your service.”
Matias groaned. “Polly. You can’t simply order us to revolve our lives around you.”
“You chose this role when you rescued me. Kayleigh and Lola volunteered when they fed me. As for your uncle, he has obviously taken on the role of protector.”
“Hold on, you think Mama and Juan are your servants too?” Matias exclaimed.
“Do I need to repeat myself in Spanish?” I asked.
“You are unbelievable,” Matias huffed.
Juan chuckled. “Bossy little thing, ain’t she?”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Matias muttered.
“Don’t worry, Polly, I would never abandon you without making sure you were taken care of.” Kayleigh gave me a hug as if that would relinquish her from her duties.
It didn’t.
“Our exile shall only be temporary. Once I grow, we will claim a proper lair, one that will have room for many servants as well the progeny you and Matias will create.”
“What?” The pair of them yelped in shock.
Did they not understand where babies came from? Perhaps I had to explain. “Children are the result when opposing sex humans copulate.”
“Uh.” Matias seemed to have forgotten how to speak.
As for Kayleigh, she murmured, “We aren’t lovers, Polly.”
“You will be.” I could smell it each time they got within close proximity of each other.
Juan cleared his throat. “About this protector thing…”
“Fear not, you will not be alone facing my enemies. You have Matias, who acquitted himself adequately, considering his lack of weaponry. He will be my personal guard. Given your wily nature, you shall be tasked with defenses and recruiting more fighters, as well as overseeing them.”
“Me, in charge of a dragon’s army?” Juan sounded surprised. Understandable, given I’d gifted him a lofty position.
“It will be up to you to ensure my enemies cannot harm me. Once I have claimed a castle, we will begin fortifications.”
“Castle, eh? You might be getting your wish sooner than expected.” And that was all the old man would say.
I allowed it since Kayleigh produced a snack for my rumbling belly which led to a nice warm nap in her lap. By the time I awoke, dawn crested and we were bouncing on a rough road through a dense and green jungle.
“How much further?” Matias asked as we hit a particularly large bump that smacked his head off the roof of the truck.
“Once we park, about a mile on foot.”
A mile through a hot and humid jungle—which I quite liked—over rough terrain that hid yummy, slithering things I’d be snacking on later.
